Can newb question

[mospeada]

I've got many questions, but first the more pertinent.

Is it possible to use a can for a larger caliber on a smaller caliber (say 45ACP & 9mm)? Not ideal I realize, but maybe practical?

 

[shooter521]

Is it possible to use a can for a larger caliber on a smaller caliber (say 45ACP & 9mm)? Not ideal I realize, but maybe practical?

In some cases yes, in others no; it depends on a lot of things. Best to check with the mfr. and see what they recommend or approve.

 

[alfahornet]

What is meant by a can? I know this probably sounds stupid but been trying to figure this out for a while. Thanks.

 

[mospeada]

Can=Suppressor. It looks like a can on the end of the barrel.

I have a followup question, is the effectiveness of the suppressor affected by caliber in general? Is a 45acp suppressor quieter because the round is slower?

 

[shooter521]

What is meant by a can?

"Sound suppressor" or "silencer".

I have a followup question, is the effectiveness of the suppressor affected by caliber in general?

Absolutely. .22LR is one of the easiest calibers to suppress effectively; rifle calibers like 5.56 are much, much more difficult. Bullet diameter and velocity, as well as suppressor volume and baffle design all come into play. There's also a bunch of physics stuff involved that's WAY over my head... all I want it to do is go "pew-pew".

Is a 45acp suppressor quieter because the round is slower?

"Quieter" than what?

 

[mospeada]

"Quieter" than what?

9mm either normal or sub-sonic.

 

[VUPDblue]

Initially, common sense would dictate that a .45 can would be more effective at what it is intended to do than, say a 9mm can because the .45ACP is a heavy, slow projectile. This is not the case. A .45 is pretty difficult to suppress to the level of a suppressed subsonic 9mm. One big reason is the bore diameter. A larger bore leads to more gasses excaping through it, which equals a louder report. This reason is exactly why a suppressed subsonic.22lr round is pretty much 'Hollywood' quiet. Small, slow projectile, and small bore diameter coupled with a relatively low volume of propellent gasses equals a very efficient (read:quiet) package. Suppressors are a tricky beast and to really know and understand them, you just have to use them. You'll get a variety of answers to your questions depending on who you ask, but as I said before, you just have to experiment with the darn things to learn for yourself. In a nutshell, the answer to your question of: is the effectiveness of the suppressor affected by caliber in general? is YES, but not for the reasons you may have initially thought.

 

[mospeada]

Initially, common sense would dictate that a .45 can would be more effective at what it is intended to do than, say a 9mm can because the .45ACP is a heavy, slow projectile. This is not the case. A .45 is pretty difficult to suppress to the level of a suppressed subsonic 9mm. One big reason is the bore diameter. A larger bore leads to more gasses excaping through it, which equals a louder report. This reason is exactly why a suppressed subsonic.22lr round is pretty much 'Hollywood' quiet. Small, slow projectile, and small bore diameter coupled with a relatively low volume of propellent gasses equals a very efficient (read:quiet) package. Suppressors are a tricky beast and to really know and understand them, you just have to use them. You'll get a variety of answers to your questions depending on who you ask, but as I said before, you just have to experiment with the darn things to learn for yourself. In a nutshell, the answer to your question of: is the effectiveness of the suppressor affected by caliber in general? is YES, but not for the reasons you may have initially thought.

Nice information, thanks alot! I just need to get a threaded barrel and get this ball rolling...

 

[redneckmedic]

It seems to me the problem would be getting the barrel diameters and threads to match. But other than that, yes maybe not as effective...but that is only logic

 

[jrainw]

TROS makes thread adaptors for suppresors, I bought one to run a .30 cal suppresor on an AR in 5.56 and it worked great.

My experience is smaller bore diameter=better suppresion. .22lr best, .30 cal subsonic very close second, 9mm not in the same ballpark even subsonic.

 

[JosephR]

Wow. You haven't heard a good 9mm SS/can combo. I know a guy with an Uzi with a Gemtech Moussad. He loads his own and that thing sounds like a sewing machine when firing- quieter than the dry clutch on my Ducati!